TV's Mastermind has been "dumbed down", claims ex-champ

HIGHBROW TV quiz Mastermind has been dumbed down in a bid to boost ratings, claims one of its ex-champs.

HIGHBROW TV quiz Mastermind has been dumbed down in a bid to boost ratings, claims one of its ex-champs.

Recent specialist subjects on the BBC2 show, presented by John Humphrys, include TV series Our Friends In The North, and rock bands Queen and Iron Maiden.

The 1974 winner Elizabeth Horrocks, whose subjects included the plays of William Shakespeare and the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, said: “It changes the nature of the show if they allow too many popular culture questions.

“When I was on the show, the producers told me it was not designed to cover popular culture – there were other programmes that did that.”

Angry viewers have also complained on internet fan forums, labelling some of the topics “Noddy-lite”.

Asked whether University Challenge had dumbed down, quizmaster Jeremy Paxman said last year: “No, but the questions have got a lot easier on Mastermind.”